Hornets vs. Spurs - 3rd Quarter

They appear to have come out with the same energy they started the first and second quarters, getting a quick basket to cut the lead down to 47 - 52 Spurs. Unfortunately they don't take advantage of a foul on Chandler and are forced to take a shot with the game clock winding down.

With 10:00 minutes left in the 3rd quarter the Spurs are really going after Chandler. Manu Ginobili just gave Chandler a hard foul that the refs didn't call. Even from the top of section 120 I was able to see that blatant swing. Sure he made contact with the ball, but he also made contact with both of Chandlers arm and chest.

With 9:08 in the third quarter the Spurs lead 58 - 47.

With that being said Chandler just got fould and made one of two free throws cutting the lead to 10.

The Spurs lead 58 - 48 with 8:30 left in the 3rd and Chandler just got fouled again. He made one of two again cutting the lead to 9.

Some really sloppy play from both teams and specifically from the Hornets, Chris Paul and Tyson Chandler put the Spurs up by 14.

The Hornets finally got things together with 6:30 left in the third quarter. The score is 64 - 53 and the Spurs call a timeout to prevent Chris Paul to get in any sort of rhythm.

Some great defense from Chris Paul just forced Tony Parker to shoot up the ball with one second on the clock. Unfortunately the Spurs got the offensive rebound and put it up to extend the lead to 66 - 53 with 5:30 left in the quarter.

Now that the Spurs have a lead I can tell why they are one of the toughest team's in the league. Regardless of how much momentum the Hornets try to build up the Spurs always have an answer. This is when Tim Duncan really becomes a factor because you can try and contain him but he can't be stopped. He can reliably make shots when they need to be made. Suddenly Duncan has 21 points and no one saw them coming. He does it so quietly inside the paint that it really just feels like their is nothing the Hornets can do.

With 2:30 left in the quarter the Spurs lead 77 - 56. The Spurs just took out Duncan and when you look at Chandler you can tell he's exhausted. The Hornets would love to take him out but they have to take advantage of a short stint with Duncan on the bench. That high energy they start each quarter with appears to have fizzled again.

The third quarter ends with the Spurs leading 81 - 63 and things are not looking good for the Hornets as the crowd begins to clear out slowly.